When examining the recent resurgence of sinophobia since COVID-19 began, the historical parallels between now and the Chinese Exclusion Act era become immediately apparent. This study examines the principles of the “perpetual foreigner syndrome” in relation to anti-Asian behavior, “The Chinese in America” by Iris Chang, and “The Chinese Must Go: Violence, Exclusion, and the Making of the Alien in America” by Beth Lew-Williams. These stories reveal that sinophobia levels are less about changes in public morality, but the releasing and restriction of the dormant xenophobia that has existed in American public consciousness throughout the history of Chinese immigration.
Faculty Sponsor: Juwen Zhang
Discipline: Chinese Studies
Much scholarship on Catullus’ poetry depends on readings of single poems. I examine a larger sample to provide a more comprehensive understanding. I show that Catullus’ complex views of friendship can be best seen through his use of different kinds of language in his friendship poems. At his most playful, Catullus is witty and charming. In other poems, he uses angry language to explore conflict in friendships. Elsewhere, Catullus uses erotic language to show more dramatic aspects of friendship. Each of these features adds to the depth of Catullus’ art and helps explain the lasting power of his poetry.
Faculty Sponsor: Ortwin Knorr
Discipline: Classical Studies
Cultural nuances profoundly shape social behaviors and mindsets worldwide, evident in the stark contrasts between American and Japanese cultures. This thesis delves into the intersection of US/Japanese cultural differences and investor behavior, questioning whether the former might impact the latter. Economic theories, cultural factors, and empirical data will be analyzed to this end. Cultural patterns will be analyzed and discussed. Final results may align with Neoclassical or Behavioral Economic theory and will contribute to the evolution of these areas. Significant results may also allow individuals to better control for culture-based investing biases / fallacies, potentially allowing for greater financial gains.
Faculty Sponsor: Miho Fujiwara
Discipline: Japanese Studies
This project explores what cultural components of Noh, the Japanese traditional performing art, are required to be recognized for audiences in the United States to enjoyably participate. It analyzes the similarities and differences between Noh and opera and clarifies what characteristics are additionally apparent in Noh plays. The results of this study will be discussed. The conclusion shows Noh could be fully appreciated by international audiences with the cultural foundation of opera connotated in musicals, contrary to the common perception that Noh is esoteric and inaccessible.
Faculty Sponsor: Miho Fujiwara
Discipline: Japanese Studies
In the United States, anime, a term for stylized Japanese animation, has taken many young people by storm. However, within anime exists many problematic portrayals of sexism and misogyny, themes that America in recent years has been adamantly against. This paper intends to dive into the major reasons as to why anime is popular in America despite anime’s deeply rooted sexism. It will look at examples of recently popular anime series such as One Piece Film Red and Bocchi the Rock! and the backgrounds surrounding them. The results will be revealed and discussed.
Faculty Sponsor: Miho Fujiwara
Discipline: Japanese Studies
This study examines how history and globalization have shaped Japan's multicultural landscape, particularly investigating its ties to Latin America. Central to the discussion is the phenomenon of cultural hybridization, as articulated by Néstor García Canclini, as a lens to understand the interweaving of varied cultural elements that shape identities and customs in today’s globalized world. Through an exploration of the sociocultural manifestations of hybridization, particularly Latino music in Japan, this thesis underscores the intercultural dialogue between both regions. Specifically, this research project delves into the unique case of Mariachi music in Japan, providing new perspectives on the complexities of multiculturalism.
Faculty Sponsor: Miho Fujiwara
Discipline: Japanese Studies
Nihonga (日本画), literally “Japanese picture,” gained its name to differentiate this specific Japanese art from its more recent western-style counterpart, yōga (洋画), literally “western picture,” which was brought to Japan from western styles that were predominant in Europe during Japan’s Meiji era (1868-1912). This project discusses what and why Japanese art is what it is today through the lens of yōga and nihonga. In order to do this, we will analyze both past and current artists such as Ishii Hakutei (1882-1958) and Yayoi Kusama (1929-present) within the context of these styles.
Faculty Sponsor: Miho Fujiwara
Discipline: Japanese Studies